Nothing makes a keepsake as keep-able as an engraved note or name. Often, this is the difference between a gift and a heirloom. As more and more engraving professionals have applied their trade to an increasingly wider range of gifts, the manufacturers have responded, creating in some instances a selection of versatile and specialized engravers, and in other instances, simply increasing the virtuosity of all of their machines.

Let’s take a look at a few of the specialists, as well as a few of the larger, yet versatile, machines used for gift engraving.

THE MACHINES

We begin by speaking with five different yet familiar equipment manufacturers, allowing them to expound upon their best gift engraving equipment. Some of them make the case for their entire line, such as Vision Engraving Systems in Phoenix, Arizona, whose Natalie Whitehouse states, “All 13 of our machines may be used for gift engraving.”

Others, like Jimmy DuBose of Xenetech Global in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, inform us of more specifically-engineered equipment. DuBose says that Xenetech has both a gift engraving system and a jewelry engraving system—an excellent example of a specialized engraver.

Elisha Kaufman of U-Marq USA in Bethel, Connecticut, notes that U-Marq has three total gift engravers, “The GEM-RX4, the GEM-VX4 and the Universal-300. Watch for another in the next couple of months, we may have a surprise for early 2009!”

Laurie Weller of Roland DGA in Irvine, Calif., explains, “We have a full line of engraving systems that can be used in the gift market, but one is specifically purpose built for gift engraving, the new EGX-360.”

Weller says key EGX-360 features include the ability to engrave glass and cylindrical objects of various sizes, including both the inside and outside of rings. “One of the differentiating factors with this product is its ability to engrave around the full circumference of an object. The EGX-360 is our newest professional engraver and comes as a complete solution including software.”

Jonathan Cohen of Gravograph in Atlanta, Georgia says their gift engraving range includes several models. “We offer the M20 Series engravers. These are small (12”x13”) footprint machines ideally suited to point-of-sale retail or to take to shows and festivals. The M20 is available in a range of models with the M20 Jewel being the most versatile. There is a trade-off between the maximum item size and the price, size and weight. Customers who need to engrave larger items have two other choices. The GTM40 Gift machine was designed specifically to handle a wide variety of gift items at a reasonable price.” He adds that Gravograph also offers the IS400 Volume, their most versatile machine.

Of course, each of these manufacturers offers many more machines. Make sure you check out their entire selections via their websites or catalogs.

CHOOSE YOUR CHOICE

While it would be fair to say that the majority of the market’s engraving machines carry out most of the same tasks, it is also true that they are each unique and have qualities that suit them best for certain applications and companies. Which choice is best for you? Take a look at the reasons these manufacturers provide in explaining why their customers choose them.

“One of the distinct advantages we offer is the tight integration of the software and hardware. Since we create our software, we build in features that make it easier and more productive to run our equipment. A case in point is our laser beam job setup,” says Cohen. He adds another item to consider when buying any equipment is after-sales service and support.

Roland’s Weller proudly states that the EGX-360 is a gift engraver for corporate gifts, awards, signage, rhinestone template creation and much more. “It is easy to use and one of the safest gift engravers on the market due to its integrated safety cover. This cover securely contains the engraving equipment and prevents debris from entering the work area. This makes the EGX-360 ideal for retail environments.” She adds the EGX-360 comes with a full suite of software that supports a wide range of engraving applications.

DuBose begins by explaining that Xenetech’s systems are versatile. “We can engrave inside and outside rings. We can engrave cylindrical items up to 12” in diameter, and we can engrave very tall items like the end of a baseball bat or golf club. Our cylindrical attachment can tilt up to 35°, and our vise table can tilt up to 26°. This large amount of tilt allows us to engrave a greater variety of products, for example, martini glasses.”

Kaufman says her customers like U-Marq’s machines’ price, versatility and ease of use. “Even if you start with the smallest machine, the GEM-RX4, you still have the ability to engrave all small jewelry items, flat and curved items (like flasks and lighters), and also inside and outside of rings and bangles. This machine also has the ability to engrave small cylindrical items like shot glasses and champagne flutes.”

One aspect that her customers love about Vision’s equipment, Whitehouse tells us, is that all of their machines are made in the USA. “They are highly reliable and are backed by a full-service technical support department. In particular, our MAX Pro Engraver allows for engraving of flat, deep, round or odd-shaped items in one compact, easy-to-use machine.”

She adds the system contains Vision’s automatic surface-sensing feature that allows for flat and curved surface engraving on a wide range of materials. For easy job set-up, the MAX Pro uses Vision’s Auto Laser Layout feature, which sends the engraving area and position directly to the software without measuring. Also, each MAX Pro system includes the Vision-Pro software package.

QUALITIES TO SEEK

We have covered much of the feedback companies have received from their customers. But, in searching for the absolute best system for your company, let’s go a little further in depth and discuss the qualities engraving companies feel are the most important for shops to seek in a machine.

Kaufman’s initial concerns all point to practical ambitions. “I would definitely be looking for the ease of use and the ease of training employees as my top priorities. A close second is definitely going to be the versatility and the speed of the machine. Who wants to work on a machine that is slow in the busy retail months? Not me!”

DuBose, as well as all of the others, agree that ease of use and versatility are priorities. However, he adds, “The system should also give a very high quality engraving.”

Getting a little more specific, Weller notes added features that can be important include the laser pointer, which simplifies the setup, support for objects with a large diameter, and support for other applications such as name badge and rhinestone motif production.

In addition to the necessity of a machine that can engrave a variety of materials, including metals, wood, plastics, glass, crystal and ceramics, Whitehouse adds the ability to import a wide variety of graphics files is also advantageous.

Cohen says that shops should seek a variety of qualities, including reliability, because they can’t afford for the machine to go down. Accuracy is also important for the quality of engraving, and ease-of-use may allow for employees to become productive quickly and minimize their errors. Further, he suggests looking at the productivity in terms of how well the software and hardware work together to get the job designed and engraved quickly and efficiently.

SUITABLE GIFTS

In addition to the abilities of the machine, equipment-shopping shops can also browse from the perspective of their product lines. Many of these machines can engrave a wide range of gifts, but which are they best suited for, and which ones will your shop sell?

Whitehouse sticks to the versatility of Vision’s machines, simply saying that any gift item can be engraved, be it jewelry, crystal, glassware, metal, etc.

DuBose says, “Jewelry, gifts, knives, pens, crystal glasses or vases, and wine bottles are all easily engraved with our Gift Engraving system, but our systems can engrave on all types of gifts.”

Kaufman notes that because of the range of U-Marq machines, “Anything can really be engraved, from the smallest of jewelry pieces to the large plaques and bowls. This question is really going to depend on how much engraving you want to do. If you go with the U-Marq Universal-300, your range of engravable products is unbelievable. My philosophy is that if you can hold it, you can engrave it!”

Weller notes that while Roland’s engravers are well suited to personalize everything from wine bottles, glasses and vases to gifts and awards, the EGX-360 can engrave objects up to 18” in width and up to 8” in diameter. “The maximum work area using the flat engraving table is 12” x 9”,” she says.

“Our machines handle a wide variety of items including plastic, wood, glass, leather and metal. We also offer a complete range of engraving cutters suited to the different materials,” says Cohen.

Whichever machine you decide to go with, make sure the decision is made with line of gifts you plan on selling being kept in the forefront of your business mind.

TIME TO LEARN

All equipment has a learning curve. No one simply sets up a machine and begins engraving immediately—at least no one I know of. And, while we all learn at our own pace, it’s fair to ask about how long it takes for the average person to learn to use a machine.

DuBose says that with Xenetech’s engravers, “After two days of training, our customers are prepared to engrave most items. Our customers can contact our factory or their local distributor if they have application questions. Like any other computerized engraving system, it is best if the customer has some computer knowledge.”

For her part, Whitehouse says this depends entirely on the application and complexity of the job being completed.

Weller says, “With some instruction, a user can get up and running on the EGX-360 in less than one hour.”

“Our customers are up and running within the first several hours after install and training,” says Cohen.

Kaufman says it depends on the machine and the applications the gift and awards shop is going to be using it for, but most people are up and running—that’s engraving customers’ items—in a couple of hours.”

It seems that these machines have become extremely user friendly, particularly for someone with a computer or engraving background. However, it should be pointed out that there is a big difference between simply getting “up-and-running” and being an expert with a machine. It takes time, trial and error to learn how to take advantage of all that a machine offers. When shopping for a new machine, be sure to account for time to learn the equipment and to train others on it.

Many companies offer training for their specific machines, and through other venues, such as trade shows and seminars, there are many opportunities for engraving professionals to further their capabilities. While these can seem daunting or a pain in the you-know-what, they should be thought of as investments in time and money that can turn out be just as profitable, if not more so, than the initial investment in equipment.

Learning the ins and outs of a machine also tends to lend itself to companies offering special services or gifts that their competition does not. Particularly in a tough economic climate, anything a company can do to set itself apart will be valuable.

FOR GIFT SELLERS

These machines will provide the best return on their required investment for shops that do a lot of gift business, engraving items that are either a hassle to engrave with a “regular engraver” or can’t be engraved by them at all. Make sure your company has a solid plan in place to recover your investment as quickly as possible, and in this case, that means a plan for your company’s line of engravable gifts.